ONLINE WILLS – LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Completing Online Wills ~ With today’s technology, the majority of the will writing process can be completed via online communications. However, “online wills” is not an entirely accurate term because we also need to communicate through the post and over the telephone from time to time. Despite the amount of personal input we’ll need in order to draft the will, the document can be completed without the need for you to come into our offices. In fact, the process typically takes only a few phone calls during which we collect precise instructions from you. The last step is for you to execute the finished document that we will send to you by post. Along with the will, we will include detailed instructions on how to execute your will according to the strict legal requirements.

Risks of DIY Services ~ A quick search of the Internet will turn up a variety of services for online wills. Many people mistakenly believe that they can save money by using one of these ofen non qualified services. You might be surprised to learn that in many cases the services of a qualified solicitor cost the same, or even less, than using one of these non-professional online companies. By using a solicitor, you’ll probably be paying the same amount but will also be benefiting from the legal knowledge of a qualified and insured lawyer. With a do-it-yourself will, the validity of the document is resting solely on your abilities and/or those of an individual with no special qualifications to draft wills. Your assets are far too valuable to risk on a DIY will that has not been thoroughly reviewed by a trained legal professional. The smallest mistakes can lead to the worst of scenarios. Would you want to see the State come in and claim all of your assets because your will is invalid?

DIY Wills Common Errors ~ DIY online wills are notoriously loaded with errors that invalidate the entire document. Below is an overview of the most common mistakes made in wills not drafted with assistance from a solicitor:
~ failure to execute the document in accordance with the laws regarding signature and witnesses
~ enabling the State to claim some of your assets by failing to distribute the entirety of your estate in your will
~ failure to account for contingencies and life events that can greatly affect the terms of your will, including birth, death, marriage, divorce and civil partnerships
~ failure to adequately provide for one or more dependents who have a prior claim to your estate
~ an intended beneficiary of your will can lose their rights to their inheritance if they serve as a witness to the execution of the document or if a court finds that they were unfairly involved in the preparation of the will
Today in the UK, citizens are wealthier than ever before. Most own homes worth a substantial amount of money. You create a will in order to see those assets distributed according to your wishes. Once you pass away, your will is all that’s left to speak to your wishes. An unambiguous, legally enforceable will is necessary to spare your loved ones a protracted legal battle in order to establish their rights to your estate.

Free Legal Advice On Contested Wills ~ The goal of all our solicitors is to make the process as simple as possible for our clients. You won’t be hit with a barrage of legal jargon. We believe that all our communications should be conducted in plain English, and all your documents will be written in plain English as well. We keep our charges reasonable and base them on the amount of work performed. Contact us today for free advice and a quotation. You can also enquire about the discounts we offer for family wills and mirror wills for spouses.